A Father’s Last Wish For His Daughter

Readers are debating this moral dilemma after the recent publication of the story of father-of-8 Reuven Boltin. Boltin was reportedly diagnosed with kidney cancer three years ago. After years of treatments, he has stopped responding to medication. In a devastating turn, doctors recently sent Reuven home, telling him there was nothing they could do, and that his only remaining option would be to pursue alternative treatments.

Unfortunately, however, the young man and his large family are unable to afford any further treatments, as three years of battling illness has drained them entirely of their savings. He is now bedridden in his Kiryat Sefer home, and requires crutches to walk due to his extreme weakness.

Reuven’s wishes, however, are not “only” for himself: The Boltins’ eldest daughter is engaged to be married this month. In what may be a father’s last wish for his daughter, Reuven has asked the public to help him to marry off his daughter, as well as to support his family and pursue alternative treatments such as those available in countries outside of Israel.

Recently,  Rav Moshe Erlanger, who runs the local food pantry and soup kitchen, was told by neighbors that he should visit the Boltin home. Erlanger was shocked by what he found and was quoted as saying, in a voice heavy with pain, ‘Eight children and an empty fridge. Have you ever seen such a terrible situation?’

In just two weeks, Reuven Boltin will have what may be his last celebration with his children, on his daughter’s wedding day. Whether the day will be full of joy, or fear for the future, still hangs in the balance. Similarly, Reuven hangs in the balance between life and death – When he does inevitably fall off of that precipice onto a definite side, he prays it is the one where his children await him. Either way, his daughter and other 7 children carry on his legacy, aided by the kindness of those who are touched by their story.